Comparative Pharmacology
Head-to-head clinical analysis: CARDENE versus DILTZAC.
Peer-Reviewed Evidence
Head-to-head clinical analysis: CARDENE versus DILTZAC.
CARDENE vs DILTZAC
Comparing the clinical profiles, pharmacokinetic behaviors, and safety indices of these two therapeutic agents.
Cardene (nicardipine) is a dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker that inhibits the transmembrane influx of calcium ions into vascular smooth muscle and cardiac muscle. It dilates peripheral arterioles, reducing systemic vascular resistance and blood pressure, and also has coronary vasodilatory effects.
Diltiazem is a calcium channel blocker that inhibits calcium ion influx across cardiac and vascular smooth muscle cells, resulting in dilation of coronary and systemic arteries and decreased myocardial contractility and conduction velocity.
20-40 mg orally three times daily.
Oral: 30-120 mg 3-4 times daily; maximum 480 mg/day. IV: 0.25 mg/kg over 2 min, then 0.35 mg/kg after 15 min if needed; continuous infusion 5-15 mg/hour.
None Documented
None Documented
1.5-2 hours (terminal); prolonged in hepatic impairment (up to 6-8 hours)
Terminal elimination half-life: 3.5-5.0 hours (healthy adults). Prolonged in elderly (6-8 hours) and in hepatic impairment (10-12 hours).
Renal: 60% as metabolites, 10% unchanged; Fecal: 35%
Renal: 60-70% as metabolites, 2-4% unchanged; Biliary/Fecal: 20-30% as metabolites.
Category C
Category C
Calcium Channel Blocker
Calcium Channel Blocker